When I first moved to Kits many, (okay, many, many) moons ago, I was thrilled that Bimini's was just down the street. I have some great memories of dining, dancing, and still being tucked into bed by 1 a.m. Sheer perfection for a working woman who wanted a fun night out without sacrificing sleep. Then, there was the fire. After that, Bimini's closed for several years before going through a few openings and closings. Fast forward to last week: my partner and I stopped by on a Thursday and were warmly greeted by the staff. The food was decent and tasted fresh. I was happy enough with my salmon burger and salad. There was great live music by Mike Henry and a keyboardist, so I got my little sing-along fix.
Now, here's where I genuinely hope management and owners take this to heart. This is just my opinion, but I want Bimini's to be my regular. So, here goes — and I hope I don't sound too harsh:
I was left pretty confused by a few things:
What exactly is Bimini's Beer Hall/Pub/Lounge since 1975?
I couldn’t get a sense of a unifying concept. To me, a “Beer Hall” evokes a cavernous German-style space with tankards of interesting varieties of beer, in diverse tankards, share plates of sausages and pretzels, and artistic decor reflecting the region. But there was no beer menu or unifying theme.
Bimini's is a nautical reference, but there’s no real nautical theme in the decor or menu, even though Kits is a bit of a beach town. This could be a fun and unifying theme with some interesting elements, that could incorporate coastal-inspired dishes and decor.
Then, there’s the “since 1975” angle, which is intriguing, but it doesn’t really go anywhere. There are no historical photos or little stories about the history of Bimini's woven into the menu, which I think could add some interest and depth.
So, is it a lounge? When I think of a lounge, I picture big, comfy couches meant for groups to relax, enjoy drinks, listen to chill beats, and nibble on small plates and apps. But the vibe at Bimini's is not that.
It’s also a bit confusing to see a more formal seating area at the front, sectioned off with an unstaffed coffee bar. It looks empty, and it's by the front window, so people walking by can see it. When I’ve looked in, it just seems sad and unused. Why not turn that area towards West 4th into a lively, main seating area to make the space more inviting? Kitschies love their brunch. I can't help but wonder if offering a decent brunch and filling up those front seats wouldn't get at least some street buzz.
So, I'm just confused. What exactly is Bimini's? I really hope...
Read moreWe originally planned to visit another coffee shop today, but we stumbled upon this new café by chance. Although its exterior wasn’t particularly eye-catching, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to take a look inside. Once I glanced at the menu, I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of breakfast options. I asked if they offered alternatives to white toast, and, as luck would have it, the chef happened to be nearby. He informed me that I could choose whole grain bread or rye. That immediately won me over, so we decided to stay and try their coffee and breakfast. The interior didn’t have the sleek, modern design typical of most cafés nowadays, but it had a spacious and unique charm. The front half is a coffee shop, while the upper section transitions into a pub. The staff were incredibly warm and friendly, which made the experience even better. We ordered an espresso and two breakfasts: Breakfast at Bimini’s and Avocado Toast & Poached Eggs. I also asked if she could add a little almond milk to my coffee, and the server generously brought me an entire small cup of almond milk—such a thoughtful touch! The breakfasts arrived quickly, and we were amazed by the generous portions. The rye toast was topped with creamy avocado, two perfectly poached eggs, and fresh arugula. On the side, there was a bowl of salad made with exceptionally fresh greens and beautifully presented fruit that was both sweet and refreshing. The combination was not only visually stunning but also filling and nutritious. Honestly, this might just be the most extravagant avocado toast in all of Vancouver—truly incredible value for the price. The coffee was equally delightful, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations. This is a place I’ll definitely recommend to friends, and I can’t wait...
Read moreOrganized and Went here for our staff party last year! Service was great and food was good. That is why I am giving them three starts. My work friend had such a good time in June that wr decided to have her birthday here in February. The service started out ok. But as the night went on it started to dwindle. First said they could not make an espresso martini because they didn't have the glass where and that goes against serving it right.. maybe that's correct but never herd of that in my serving years. The server came by very seldom and then took a bit for the bills to come. Got the fish and chips delicious but very very small fish portion. More of a half piece or one piece. Not a two piece. When the bills came my friends and I all tipped 18% even though the service wasn't great.. However when it got to the last bill one friend noticed that they snuck in an additional 18% gratuity without telling us... The manager came over as we asked for a refund and she apologized but also stated with large parties there is usually a gratuity.. which is true but not usually with a party of 7 and the servers should tell their customers. They refunded us the extra amount we tipped but still kept the additional 18% gratuity and did nothing to compensate the hassle or extra wait times. Also they didn't charge one of our party guest gratuity that paid first. Just the last 6. A group of my other friends where also their in a party of 5. They also had terrible service. However they did not check their bills and also tipped ontop of the secret gratuity. Therefore it's hard to believe this was an accident. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR BILLS NO MATER...
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